CompuServe Messages

Hello John, The plasma cannon animation was produced by linking various parts of the model with 4 different dummies created in the keyframer. Dummy #1 was the parent object for everything except the base mount and was located at the center of the cannon's turret. The second dummy was located at the pivot point for both cannon barrels and I linked the rectangular barrels, the round barrels, the end caps and the plasma beams to this dummy as well. Dummy #3 was located at the end caps of the barrels and I linked just the round barrels, the end caps and the plasma beams to it. Finally I created dummy #4 and located it at the center of the "radar" post and linked the post and the radar dish to this last dummy. Using 3DS ver3.0 keyframer I first set up the motion of the recoil action of the cannon barrels. This is a simple 2D move straight backwards until the edges of the end caps lined up with the mating edges on the rectangular portion of the cannon barrels. I performed this move once and then copied the keys in the "track information" window. Second, I chose absolute rotation for the objects linked to dummy #2 and this makes the cannon barrels swing up and down. Third, another absolute rotation for the dummy #1 so the turret, barrels, etc. swing from side to side. Finally 3600 degrees of absolute rotation over 60 frames for dummy #4 so that the radar spins. The secret to all of this movement is to use the TAB key to toggle between the different axes of rotation. As for the plasma beams, they are keyframed on and off using the HIDE option in the track information window. To emphasize the effect, I placed a omni light between both beams and then keyframed its color from black (0,0,0) to yellowish-green (I forgot the RGB values) so that it flicked on and off to coincide with the cannon's firing. In the materials editor, I created a self-illuminating material with the same yellowish-green and applied it to the plasma beams. So the effect is very bright objects, the plasma beams, that appear and disappear quickly with additional light that sprays color onto the front of the cannon turret. Slow the animation way down ( say 2 frames per second ) and watch it again. BTW I think that this 60-second animation looks it's best at 10 frames per second. At these slower speeds, the light-splash effect is more noticeable. Now, if I could only figure out how to keyframe the heat from the plasma beams <g> I hope I've answered your questions, if not or if you have more questions please do not hesitate to ask. Cheers, Frank Brattain